| Botanical Name |
Bouteloua gracilis |
| Common Name |
Blue grama, Mosquito grass |
| Family |
Poaceae – Grass |
| Description |
This native perennial is a warm-season, erect, low-growing, bunch grass with a deep, fibrous root system. The blades are thin, pale green and mostly basal. When dormant it is pale brown in color. This common grass is very drought tolerant and also tolerant of poor soil. It is heat loving, cold hardy and prefers full sun. |
| Mature Size |
4” – 18” |
| Inflorescence |
In early summer inconspicuous yellow flowers appear. Later seed heads are borne that resemble flags, mosquito larvae, eyebrows or crescent moons. They are showy, purplish in color and curl back gracefully. |
| Interesting Facts |
Blue grama is the official state grass of New Mexico and grows throughout the state. It is also the state grass of Colorado. This species, as well as others in the Bouteloua genus, may cause hay fever. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses |
Blue grama is considered one of the best lawn grasses. It is also an excellent forage plant for livestock and many wild animals. The seeds attract birds and the plant is the larval host of Uncas skipper butterflies. In Montana, Native Americans have used it to foretell winter. One seed head on a stem meant a mild winter ahead. More seed heads meant a more severe winter. Native Americans have chewed the roots and blown them on cuts. They also ground the seeds and used them to make bread and mush. |
